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The government of Myanmar wants to relocate the Yangon Zoological Gardens which has been a city landmark since 1906. In fact, about 450 animals were already transferred to another zoo in Nay Pyi Taw, the country's new capital. Minister Soe Thein argued that the zoo is already a health threat for residents in the city. He added that the zoo can be transferred to Hlaw Kar National Wildlife Park which is outside of Yangon.

Netizens have launched an online campaign to block the relocation. Mahar Kyaung, who posted the “Save Our Zoo” photo on facebook, reminded authorities that zoos in other countries are also located in city centers:

The Saigon Zoo in Vietnam which opened in 1864 is at the center of the town. Similarly, the Ragunan Zoo which also opened in 1864 is located in Jakarta city. Manila Zoo which opened in 1959 in the Philippines is also in the city proper.

The real big purpose (I heard) is that they are planning to build hotels in the location of the Yangon Zoo.[…]

Photo – Ma Har Kyaung Facebook Page

He then cited his reasons for opposing the proposal:

Since current Zoological Garden is a historical zoo;
Since it was founded with funding raised from the public;
Since it will be a waste of country's budget as it will need to renovate the Hlaw Kar Park;
Since it will be inconvenient to go out of town for friends and relatives visiting Yangon after their visit to Shwedagon Pagoda (Author's Note: Yangon Zoo is very close to Shwedagon Pagoda and those from small towns and villages who visit Yangon usually go to the zoo after Shwedagon Pagoda);
Since I knew the idea of the ex-general (Minister Soe Thein) who wants to make profit by relocating the zoo.

If they were to continue to relocate the zoo to Hlaw Kar, we should send our aunts visiting Yangon to U Soe Thein's home if they want to visit a zoo.

Many netizens seemed to agree with him. Naing Lin Ngwe expressed[my] his worry:

Of course the government will give all the stupid reasons to justify relocation because Tay Za has taken over the zoo to build hotels and commercial properties. He has given millions of dollars to the generals to get this prime property.

tocharian

Since you linked the name Tay Za to a Wikepedia page, I found out that Tay Za is a billionaire and that he sent his children to live in Singapore. Thanks!
Doesn’t Tay Za and other cronies and tycoons have any bad conscience making billions of dollars (including massive bribes from the greedy Chinese who are exploiting Burma’s natural resources) in a country where 80% of the population are dirt poor and have no access to fundamental human rights, such as health care, access to clean water, electricity or even reasonable sanitation. Shouldn’t he be taxed by the government so that the money goes to the 80% instead of him building new hotels or even new zoos. Inequity between the very rich and the 80% in Burma (the land of my ancestors) is mind-boggling!